Valor
/ˈvæl.ər/noun
Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
Did you know?Valor entered English through French and Latin, and in medieval Europe it was tied not just to bravery but to a person’s perceived worth or force of character.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wal-
“to be strong, be healthy, be powerful”
Latin
Latin
valēre
“to be strong, be well, be worth”
Late Latin
Latin
valor
“worth, value, strength”
Old French
Old French
valor
“worth, merit, bravery”
Middle English
English
valour
“worthiness, courage, bravery”
Modern English
English
valor
“bold courage, especially in danger or combat”
Explore more surprising origins